Jeff Diamond’s Comments (group member since Jan 27, 2010)

Jeff Diamond’s comments from the The Expanded Universe group.

Okay, so since we have been talking so much about the new Old Republic series coming out, I think it only proper that we start a new thread.

I was just peeking at the synopsis of Fatal Alliance, and it looks like it is more or less around the time of Knights of the Old Republic or a little before. Depending on the popularity of this series, it may end up laying a good groundwork for a new crop of things to follow.

Not really a question, but hopefully a conversation starter.

Very true. But if you're anything like me (history nerd), it's really, really exciting to finally get more of an origin story for the Old Republic.

(Jumping up and down excitedly)

These books look great. On the cover of the second one, is that Darth Malak? That could be an interesting tie-in with Knights of the Old Republic.

(stops jumping)

I finished Conquest last night (didn't sleep much) and I agree. My review has some stuff that I thought could be spoilers, so I marked it. So read it at your own risk. But I think that even though we hate Borsk, he adds quite a bit to the overall story - mainly a domestic resistance to the Jedi. It's like in Vietnam or now with the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. Some of the public "back home" don't support it, and so the war is derailed until support can be stronger.

ok. ok. i'm old. i can't help it. i was born a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away! hehe."

Not old. Experienced. Besides, you can brag that you got to read those when (probably) nobody else in this group can say that!!

I don't think that I ever really even heard of those. How long ago were they published? I've seen most of the Star Wars comics that have come out in the last 10 or so years, but I haven't necessarily read them. I tend to read the comics in Insider more frequently. Those are different stories pretty much every week, so they're sporadic.

William wrote: "Well, lets pray the Jedi can take care of the dang Peace Brigade because they are a real pain in the butt! Making everyone want to kill them and "joining" the enemy even though in the end the invad..."

The antagonist that I hate themost is Borsk Fey'lya. If he was indicative of all Bothans, I can see why the Emperor hated them so much. But he isn't. Besides, I think that I would be more worried about Senator Viqi Shesh.

My favorite Solo child?? I'd say Jaina. She's stubborn, a little cocky and really gutsy. In other words, she's the daughter of Han and Leia. The two Solo boys I think I like equally, because they are really trying to feel out their own place in the Force, and just going about it in the same way. Anakin is more action-oriented, but appreciates some of the few times that he has to step out of the Force, like with Mara on Dantooine. On the other hand, Jacen tries to stick to his principles as best he can, but ultimately uses his abilities in the face of sheer practicality. They're all great kids, just very different from one another.

My first was Assault at Corellia. I was in 5th grade, so it was a little tough, but I got through it, and was able to finish off that trilogy.

I went through a long patch when I didn't read any Star Wars books, but I finally got back in by reading Truce at Bakura, Rogue Squadron, and now I'm working on the New Jedi Order. Don't know why I waited so long.

Good to see discussions!

Man, my brain hurts...... Please no more. I have to stop now.

Mine too. You bring up good points. Maybe the conflict between Light Side and Dark Side is trying to move towards a mixture of both. . .

That is a good point, but it makes me wonder about certain other things.

1. The very idea that the Jedi have destroyed the Dark Side undermines the Jedi Code. My understanding of this is that the Jedi Code is in place to keep the Jedi from falling to the Dark Side. If it ceases to exist, the Jedi Order would crumble because the Code would have no purpose. And if that goes away, there is nothing to keep the Jedi together. And when the Jedi ceases to be as a collective group, the Dark Side is stronger because one person is easier to corrupt than a group.

2. The Jedi don't take revenge. It would be contradictory for the Old Republic Jedi to be begging the Light Side to avenge them, because revenge is not of the Light Side. So, what are they really doing? In this way, maybe the Dark Side hasn't been destroyed, but has just changed.

3. Newton's Law. I forget which one. Mass and energy (and therefore force) cannot be created or destroyed, so can a certain aspect of a Force be destroyed? That's not a rhetorical question. I'm really asking. My wife is saying that the Galaxy may not be based on Newtonian physics, but I showed her!! I mentioned it anyway!

You bring up valid points. I think that this quickly becoming a really great thread.

There's a new Old Republic story? Cool! What is it?

That's true, they are very different. The fact that they are voids in the Force also makes them the perfect bane for the Jedi. Well, another perfect bane for the Jedi. The Sith are good, because they use the same Force for a different purpose. That's kind of archetypal. But the Vong are different altogether. And I never really thought of it as being any more creative, but it does add spice to the history of our beloved galaxy far, far away.

Okay, so I was wondering how many people have read the New Jedi Order series, or at least part of it. I'm on Balance Point right now, and one thing has bothered me about the series so far.

Maybe it's just me, but when I read, I see the whole thing in my mind's eye. But when I read this series, you have to stop and think for a second before you visualize, because the enemy is different. When I think of a space battle, I think of two high-technology groups fighting it out, not one with organic technology. It's cool and all, but I was wondering if anybody else was a little taken aback when they began reading the series like I was.

Don't delay! They're awesome.

William wrote: "Oh yeah, they will die, probably. I always thought the story would have have an official end where all evil is thwarted out for good and all the Jedi reappear through the force. I believe it was a..."

Yes, but I don't think that it will ever have a true end, because can evil ever be totally thwarted? Besides, after the three main characters die, their kids could take up the cause of the Jedi Order. Really, I think the main thing that makes us partial to Luke, Leia and Han is that they were in the movies that we all grew up with, and so we are more familiar with them than any others. There have been more and more books about the Old Republic, the Sith era, and the Galactic Civil War, so there is still a lot of fertile ground. All the books about the Old Republic are proof, I think that it doesn't have to be a story about Luke Skywalker in order to be a good book. But I'm rambling now, so I will stop.

I think it's pretty much all good, however you're on to something. I think it's particularly interesting during times of war. I.e. The Clone Wars, Sith Wars, Galactic Civil Wars and things like that. Just like in human history, most leaders and innovations have come out of war.

By the way, Darth Bane is as good an Old Republic novel as you can get. I still haven't read the other two, but I'm getting around to it.

So I would like to know what everybody thinks about how things are going to shape up for the character in the future. I have thought before that eventually, the "big three" i.e. Luke, Leia and Han will need to die. Yoda got to 900 years, but nobody else probably will. So, how would everybody feel if and when that happens?

Just by way of clarification:

If you want to add a book to the group's shelf, go ahead. Just remember, we're a Star Wars group. Use your best judgment.